OUR AMERICAN VOICE®
CIVICS CURRICULUM for
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
The Our American Voice Civics Curriculum (OAV) is a one-of-a-kind civic learning program for middle school students (Grades 5-8).
It is tested and proven. Established in 2009, OAV has been implemented throughout the state of Illinois reaching more than 175 teachers and over 7,000 students in 150 schools. Over 75% of these students reside in economically and socially disadvantaged communities.
OAV prepares the citizens of tomorrow today by empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for good citizenship.
OAV CORE PRINCIPLES
In OAV, students learn four core principles:
- Citizenship is a way of life, not a singular event
- With our rights and freedoms come responsibilities
- The success of the individual and the community are interdependent
- The informed participation of the people shapes and sustains our democracy
They also learn the fundamentals of democracy and develop critical thinking and analysis skills.
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OAV TOPICS
These four principles are addressed in lessons on 10 topics:
Citizenship is a way of life not a singular event
- Citizenship and the Common Good
- Rules, Laws and Responsibilities
- I’m More Than You See
With our rights and freedoms come responsibilities
- Power to the People
- A Living Document
The success of the individual and the community are interdependent
- News, Perspective, Bias
- Everyone’s Voices
- Making It Better
The informed participation of the people shapes and sustains our democracy
- Federal, State and Local Government
- Impacts of Congress
OAV LESSONS
There are three different levels of lessons (Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced,) for each topic which enables aligning content focus and depth to student knowledge.
• The BEGINNING level presents concepts at an introductory level appropriate for students with little to no experience in civic instruction or involvement.
• The INTERMEDIATE level builds on basic content knowledge enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of government and civic participation.
• The ADVANCED level allows students to apply their understanding of government and civic participation to enhance their civic knowledge, skills and dispositions.
All of the lessons feature Library of Congress primary sources. Each lesson contains digitized Student Learning Activities structured to Spark Inquiry, Deepen Inquiry, Connect and Act and Teacher Instructions on how to implement the digitized learning activities. There is a summative assessment for each Core Principle. These assessments can be used individually after the lessons for a Core Principle are delivered or together after the Civics Curriculum is completed.
OAV IMPLEMENTATION
The OAV Civics Curriculum can be implemented in 10 weeks in one 40-60 minute class per week. The curriculum is CUSTOMIZABLE and FLEXIBLE in nature. The teacher can determine which level(s) of lessons are appropriate and the order of presentation based upon the needs of students.
REGISTER
The OAV Civics Curriculum is available FREE OF CHARGE. If you feel the Curriculum might be right for your classroom, register below now.
If you are interested in our action civics program that promotes civic learning and engagement in addition to the Civics Curriculum, contact us to learn more about the Our American Voice Civic Engagement Program.